Suspect pleads not guilty in connection with Quinlan-area murder

Quinlan – One of three suspects in a Quinlan-area murder has pled not guilty. 38 year old Dena Waldon also pleaded not guilty to an aggravated kidnapping charge unrelated to the murder. Waldon, 28 year old Cory Locke and 26 year old James Russell Jr. have all been indicted in the June murder of Michael Patrick Bates. 43 year old Bates died from a gunshot wound to the chest after a party at his residence.

The three suspects are also indicted on an unrelated kidnapping charge that involves the abduction of a male victim at gunpoint the same day as the murder of Bates.